The Counter Terrorism Investigation Department (CTID) has summoned a Tamil actor over his appearance in the film Venthu Thanninthathu Kaadu.

The actor, Paramasivam Anton Newton, was ordered to visit the CTID office, in Jaffna, yesterday (21), for an inquiry into his appearance in a film that was released in 2022. The film, directed by Mathi Sutha, and shot entirely on an iPhone, centres on the lives of an elderly mother, her three children and their lives trapped in a bunker during the height of the armed conflict, Tamil Guardian reported.

The Tamil Guardian

said the summons was the latest in a series of attempts by the Sri Lankan government to intimidate Tamils in the North-East over their involvement in documenting the armed conflict, organising and participating in commemorative events or asserting their rights.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had come to power promising a new era but for Tamils in the North-East, surveillance, repression and intimidation continues, the newspaper alleged.

India has extended the financial assistance for the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai for another year. This marks the third consecutive year of financial support by the Government of India for the ferry service, beginning with its resumption in August 2024.

The Indian HC spokesperson said: “The extension reflects India’s continued commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and strengthening people-to-people linkages between the two countries.

The financial support is being extended under the Viability Gap Funding mechanism, amounting to nearly LKR 300 million annually. The assistance is aimed at ensuring the affordability and operational sustainability of the service by covering key logistical and operational costs, on terms similar to the previous year.

Since its resumption in August 2024, the ferry service has facilitated the movement of around 52,000 passengers, significantly contributing to cultural, economic and social exchanges between India and Sri Lanka. The service represents an important milestone in the revitalization of maritime connectivity between the two countries.”

The National Business Facilitation Centre (NBFC), which is being established under the Presidential Secretariat with the aim of removing administrative and regulatory barriers that exist among government institutions in relation to investment and industry and expediting these processes, will be opened tomorrow (22).

The centre is being established on the President’s initiative with the aim of bringing about a positive transformation in the industrial sector. The centre will provide solutions to issues that arise in dealing with the government machinery when starting and operating a business, while also coordinating with the relevant government institutions to provide the necessary facilities.

The “ViYASA” National Business Facilitation Centre (NBFC) has been established at Building C-80, Hector Kobbekaduwa Mawatha, Colombo 07, and is headed by Senior Additional( Secretary to the President, Seevali Arukgoda.

The centre will be opened under the patronage of Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando and Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, with the participation of Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

The website https://nbfc.presidentsoffice.gov.lk is also scheduled to be officially launched on the occasion.

President’s Media Division)